Ice Hockey
Barons hold their nerve to triumph

Buy photos » Fylde Flyers’ Adam Ruxton makes a save as Dave Rogers and Joe Henry wait for any rebounds. Picture by Keith Davies.

Solihull Barons 9 Fylde Flyers 7

National North Two

BARONS twice allowed leads to slip away before ultimately battling their way to victory at Hobs Moat Road on Sunday.

The contest started well for the hosts with Joe Henry and Charlie Hammerton putting them 2-0 ahead but after surviving a powerplay towards the end of the period, Fylde’s Bobby Caunce made it 2-1 when scoring from close range.

Jake Larkin quickly restored the two-goal cushion with a goal on the break and there was still time for Rob Perks to add a fourth before the teams headed to the changing room.

Flyers soaked up Barons pressure early in the second half and then struck twice in quick succession to cut the gap to 4-3.

That was before three goals in as many minutes from Erik Bakalar, Henry and Rich Slater seemed to give Barons an unassailable lead by the end of the second period.

The visitors went on to show that they too could rattle the puck home, scoring four goals in four minutes in the middle of the final period to draw the sides level.

Bakalar showed all of his experience in the final few minutes to score two rapid goals, completing his hat-trick and sealing victory for his side at the same time.

Relieved Barons coach Darren Bellerby said after the game: “I knew the game would be like this. Fylde came short benched but played their two lines really well and never knew when they were beaten.”

Despite his hat-trick and game winning goal it was a subdued Bakalar who reflected on the match. “A win’s a win but we let them play and they were so fast on the break. We should win every home game and all games against the weaker sides so we mustn’t be lazy.”

Barons will not have long to wait to meet Fylde for the final time of the season as they travel for the reverse fixture on Saturday.

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